Press wheel



May 4, 1965- c. B. ADAMS ETAL PRES S WHEEL Filed Dec. 31, 1963 INVENTORSCHARLES. B. ADAMS 8| EDWARD A. SILVER AGENT United States Patent3,181,622 PRESS WHEEL Charles B. Adams, New Holland, Pa, and Edward A.

Silver, Columbus, Ohio, assignors to Sperry Rand Corporatn, New Holland,Pa, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 31, 1963, Ser. No. 334,860 4Claims. ((11. 172-519) This invention relates generally to press wheelsfor agricultural planters and the like. More specifically, thisinvention relates to press wheels particularly designed and constructedto be self cleaning and to pack and form a seed furrow in a manner topromote optimum uniform germination of seeds deposited therein.

The use of press wheels on planters to compact soil around and overseeds deposited in the bottom of a seed furrow has been practiced formany years. The purpose of compacting the soil is to promote seedgermination by minimizing air pockets thus improving the capillary action of the moisture in the soil as well as reducing Wind erosion of thesoil over the seed. Present press wheels compress and mold the bottom ofthe furrow to establish an environment conducive to good germination,but they pay little or no attention to the sides of the furrow. Often,particularly in dry soil conditions, the sides of the furrow cave in asthe press wheel passes and the seeds are then covered by random depthsof the soil. Movement of the press wheel through the furrow actuallypromotes collapse of the furrow sides. The sides of the furrows havelittle resistance to being washed in the first time it rains. Theloosened condition of the sides of the furrows provide little resistanceto wind erosion as well as to erosion from rain.

It is an object of this invention to provide press wheels for plantersand the like which better control the uniformity of the depth ofcoverage of the soil over the seeds.

It is another object of this invention to provide press wheels forplanters and the like which will not cause the sides of the seed furrowsto cave in.

It is another object of this invention to provide press wheels forplanters and the like which mold the entire seed furrow into aconfiguration less likely to be destroyed by erosion than conventionalfurrows.

It is another object of this invention to provide press wheels forplanters and the like which mold and pack both the sides and bottom ofseed furrows to promote greater resistance to destruction by theelements.

It is another object of this invention to provide press wheels forplanters and the like having soil engaging elements which deflect aminimum amount for long service life although enough to be positivelyself cleaning.

It is another object of this invention to provide press wheels forplanters and the like having flexible ground engaging elements which arequickly and easily replaceable.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will beapparent upon reference to the following description and claims taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a press wheel constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a press wheel taken on the line 2-2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a modified embodiment of the press wheel shown in FIGS 1 and2; and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a seed furrow formed and moldedby the press wheel of this invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral 10 indicates arms whichextend downwardly and rearwardly from a conventional planter for thepurpose of carrying a press wheel 11. The press wheel 11 is a circularbody having a central hub 12 through which a stud 14 extends to pro-3,181,622 Patented May 4, 1965 vide an axis about which the circularpress wheel body rotates. The ends of axle stud 14 are carriedrespectively by the planter arms lil as is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.The modified embodiment shown in FIG. 3 has many of the same basicelements as the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2. These common elementsbear the same, but primed, reference numerals in FIG. 3 as in FIG. 2. Apair of bushings 15 which are readily replaceable when worn, are carriedwithin hub 12. They receive axle stud 14- and serve as bearings for thepress wheel.

The body of the press wheel of the preferred embodiment is formed ofthree major parts, a pair of sheet metal rim-like members 16 and anouter tire-like member 18. A series of studs 19 hold rim members 16together and serve to clamp tire member 18 therebetween. In the modifiedembodiment of FIG. 3, the body of the press wheel is cast. It may becast as an integral unit with hub 12 as shown, or formed in two or moreparts and bolted together. In either embodiment the Wheel body has anouter peripheral wall 2% (2%) having axially spaced extremities 21 and22 of equal and maximum diameter and a concave central portion 24-therebetween. A pair of annular side walls 25 and 26 extend radiallyinwardly respectively from extremities 21 and 22 of outer wall 20. Sidewalls 25 and 26 diverge axially as they progress radially inwardly fromouter peripheral wall 20. Thus, the outer extremities 28 and 29 of sidewall 25 are axially spaced apart as are the outer extremities 30 and 31of side wall 26. Side wall 25 has a concave outer surface 32 between itsextremities 28 and 22, while side wall 26 has a concave outer surface34- between its extremities 3t) and 31. It will be apparent in FIG. 2that each of the concave outer walls of tire-like member 18 constitutesapproximately one third of the total axial dimension of the press wheelwhile the radial dimension of the side walls is substantially the depthof the seed furrow in which the wheel is intended to be used, Note theground line G in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In the preferred embodiment, the tire member 18 is made of rubber. Noair pressure in excess of the normal atmospheric pressure is carried bytire 18. The portions of the tire walls in engagement with the groundflex slightly inwardly under the weight of the wheel and the downwardpressure applied to the wheel by arms 10. When a given portion of thetire rotates up out of engagement with the ground it unflexes, orreturns to its preformed configuration, thereby expelling any groundtending to cling to the tire surface. The degree of flexing is slight incomparison to other rubber-tired press wheels, thereby increasing theservice life of the tire. The side walls 25 and 26 are formed thickerthan outer wall 20 in order that they may support the weight of thewheel with only the minimum amount of flexing necessary to insure selfcleaning [and to insure the formation of moisture holding channels C(FIG. 4) at the outer edges of the bottom of the seed furrow. The sidewalls are of maximum thickness at their respective upper extremities 29and 31 to insure lateral compacting of the soil at the sides of the seedfurrow. Thus, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the tiremember 18 is contoured and constructed to positively mold and compactboth the sides and bottom of a seed furrow.

The modified embodiment of FIG. 3 comprises a rigid cast unit bodycontoured like tire member 18 in FIG. 2. Obviously, this body willpositively mold and compact both the sides and bottom of the seedfur-row. It would not be self cleaning, however, in the absence of aresilient cover member 35. Cover member 35 is made up of a plurality ofannular portions preferably having different degrees of flexability anddurability. The axially outermost annular portions 36 and 33 serveprimarily a mounting function. They'simply hold 'niernber 35on the cast;a form the bottom and sidesof a seed furrow after seeds Wheel body. Theyare preferably made extremely stretch r have been deposited thereincomprising a circular" body 'able to facilitate mounting and removingthe cover 35 having a central hub providinga horizontally extending from.the wheel body. Durability in resistance to cutting axis about whichsaidv body rotates, said circular body and abrasion isofilittle concernfor these sections. The having an outer. peripheral wall generallyconcentric with central annular portion 39' is preferably the leastflexible said axis,said outer peripheral wallhaving axially spaced partof the cover member; It must flex sufficiently to radial extremities ofsubstantially equal diameter relative move upwardly into contact withconcave surface 24"iat to said axisand airadially inwardly concavecentral perthe bottomoftthesecd furrow; but it requiresvery little 7';tion therebetween, the'radially outward surface between stretchingduring ;the operation of :mounting' the cover; 6 saidaXiallyi nspflcedradialuextrcmities" of "said outer peto the'cutting and 'abradingaction-of the soil.' The an'nu-j on the wheel. It'sliouldalso b'everydurable in resistance ripheralwall iconstituting approximately :one'third of the f total; axial; dimension 'of thezpress wheel, a pair ofannue larportions40 and 41 between pontions 36-39- and 38-3 ar sidewalls; extending radially inwardly and {diverging respectively,mustflstretch more thanportion- 39 during, ially frornft-he 'r'espectivee"xtrem'ities' of said'outer wall, mounting but less than port-ions3.6;,and3 8." Portions-40 1 each offsaidQ-s' e. walls having-axiallyspaced radialiexand 41 accordingly-are preferably madele'ss flexiblethan tremities and; an inwardly concave outer surface th'erebeportions36 and 38, but more. flexible than portion 39. f tween, theradiallyoutward surface ofea ch of'asaid side The requirementsconcerningilurability are less than that walls constitutingapproximately one' thir'dof the total of portions 36 and 38. Thesevarying requirements for axial dimension of the press wheel,wherebynponrolling stretchab'ility, flexibilityand; durability for thediff e'rentof said press wheel through a seed furrow-said: concave annular portionsof cover may be met byjthe use of outer-peripheral wall ofsaidwheelpacks andforms the different grades or thicknesses of rubberinfthe various bottom of said'furrow'intoa convexlongitudinallyexannular portions of, cover 35.. The function of covertending mound'while the diverging'concavefside walls'of v35 is obviouslyto hex upwardly 'and inwardly against said wheel simultaneously'compressthe sides of saidfurconcave surfaces 24", 32' and-34' atthe portionofthe. 5 row intozupwardlydiverging convex forms onopposite press wheel inoperation on the seed'furrow and then to sides of said mound. i l j 1return to a substantially planar form bridging across these 2. A presswheelffor planters'and' the like as recited in concave surfaces as thatpart of the wheel rotates up out claim 1 wherein'the radial dimension ofeach of said side of the fur-row thereby cleaning the wheel of clingingwalls is substantially thesame as the depthof a seed fursoil. V v i arow in which saidwheelisintended for use. It will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that certain 3; A p'resswheelifor planters and thelike as recited in synthetics and other known materials may readily beclaim 1 wherein at least-the radially outer portion of said substitutedfor rubber in the fabrication of tire 18 and circular body,eonstitutingsaid outerperipheral wall and said side walls, is made ofmaterial having sufficient flexible resiliency to ,expel ground. fromthe outer. surface oovermember35. ,7 V r FIG. 4 shows .thels'eed' furrowas formed and packed by the press wheel of this -invention.' Over theseed S is formed thereof :u'ponurnov ement of saidfwallsout ofengagement a longitudinally extending mound-M. Theidepth of cover- Iwith said furrow in response to rotation of said wheel age of soiloverf'the seed is uniform from seed to seed." about said axis. a ,7 VThe side walls A of the furrow are packed and formed V ,4. A press wheelfor planters and thelike to pack and so as .not to cave in. Thedesirable rnoistureholding 40 form. the bottom and sides of a seedfurrowafter seeds channels C are not filled up'by crumbling sides of the havebeen deposited therein comprising a circular body seed furrow. Thefurrow sides A'are gently convex and having a central hub providinganaxis aboutwhich said diverge upwardly and outwardly to catchrain'without body rotates, said body having an outer peripheral wallbeing washed in. The packing of the'sides Ajresistserogenerallyconcentric with said axis andhaving an outer sion fromthewind: as well as from-rain; Such a seed surface concaved inwardlytoward said axis, a pair of furrow provides optimum conditions for seedgermination annular side walls diverging radially; inwardly from the aswell as uniform conditions-from one seed t'o the next. respective axialends of said outer" peripheral wall, said While this invention has'beendescribed in connection side walls each havinga concave outer. surface,the radiwith a particular embodiment thereof, it will be 'under- 7 allyoutward surfaces of said outer peripheral wall and stood that it is;capable of modification, and this applicasaid annular side walls eachconstituting approximately tion is'intended to cover any' variation,uses,',or adapta one third of the total axial'dim'ensionlof said presswheel.

tions, following, in general, the principles of the invention 1 g f v Iand including such dep'artures from the present disclosure V ferences ieby fl Examine! as come within known orcustom'arypractice in the art to TTAT PA which the invention pertains,and as fall within'thescope of theinvention or the lirnitso f'the appended claims. 7 Having thus'describedour invention, what we claim is: V 4

l. A press; wheel for planters and the like to pack andGRAHAMVCRAVER"PHmary x

1. A PRESS WHEEL FOR PLANTERS AND THE LIKE TO PACK AND FROM THE BOTTOMAND SIDES OF A SEED FURROW AFTER SEEDS HAVE BEEN DEPOSITED THEREINCOMPRISING A CIRCULAR BODY HAVING A CENTRAL HUB PROVIDING A HORIZONTALLYEXTENDING AXIS ABOUT WHICH SAID BODY ROTATES, SAID CIRCULAR BODY HAVINGAN OUTER PERIPHERAL WALL GENERALLY CONCENTRIC WITH SAID AXIS, SAID OUTERPERIPHERAL WALL HAVING AXIALLY SPACED RADIAL EXTREMITES OF SUBSTANTIALYEQUAL DIAMETER RELATIVE TO SAID AXIS AND A RADIALLY INWARDLY CONCAVECENTRAL PORTION THEREBETWEEN, THE RADIALLY OUTWARD SURFACE BETWEEN SAIDAXIALLY SPACED RADIAL EXTREMITIES OF SAID OUTER PERIPHERAL WALLCONSTITUTING APPROXIMATELY ONE THRID OF THE TOTAL AXIAL DIMENSION OF THEPRESS WHEEL, A PAIR OF ANNULAR SIDE WALLS EXTENDING RADIALLY INWARDLYAND DIVERGING AXIALLY FROM THE RESPECTIVE EXTREMITIES OF SAID OUTERWALL, EACH OF SAID SIDE WALLS HAVING AXIALLY SPACED RADIAL EXTREMITIESAND AN INWARDLY CONCAVE OUTER SURFACE THEREBETWEEN, THE RADIALLY OUTWARDSURFACE OF EACH OF SAID SIDE WALLS CONSTITUTING APPROXIMATELY ONE THRIDOF THE TOTAL AXIAL DIMENSION OF THE PRESS WHEEL, WHEREBY UPON ROLLING OFSAID PRESS WHEEL THROUGH A SEED FURROW SAID CONCAVE OUTER PERIPHERALWALL OF SAID WHEEL PACKS AND FROMS THE BOTTOM OF SAID FURROW INTO ACONVEX LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING MOUND WHILE THE DIVERGING CONCAVE SIDEWALLS OF SAID WHEEL SIMULTANEOUSLY COMPRESS THE SIDES OF SAID FURROWINTO UPWARDLY DIVERGING CONVEX FORMS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID MOUND.